Ice Maker and Refrigerator Having Same

ABSTRACT

An ice maker and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. A refrigerator may include a main body having a storage room therein; a compressor at one side of the main body, configured to compress refrigerant; a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and an ice maker in the storage room, wherein the ice maker may include a case having an external shape; an ice tray configured to contain water; a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air; an ice bucket under the guide unit and comprising a container having a concave center portion; an ice making fan inside the case configured to generate or facilitate a flow of air; and a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator having the same.

BACKGROUND

A refrigerator is an apparatus for storing food at a low temperature. The refrigerator can be configured to store the food in a frozen or refrigerated state according to the type of food to be stored. The inside of the refrigerator is cooled down by continuously supplied cold air, and the cold air is continuously generated by the heat exchange action of a refrigerant by way of a refrigeration cycle going through the process of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation. Since the cold air supplied to the inside of the refrigerator is evenly delivered inside the refrigerator owing to convection, the food inside the refrigerator can be stored at a desired temperature.

An ice maker may be provided in the refrigerator for the convenience of use. The ice maker may make ice by supplying cold air to water and storing a predetermined amount of ice. The ice maker may include an ice making tray for making ice, and an ice storage unit for storing the ice made by the ice making tray.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker which can effectively make ice, and a refrigerator having the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker which can reduce the time for freezing water, and a refrigerator having the same.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising a main body having a storage room therein; a compressor at one side of the main body, configured to compress refrigerant; a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and an ice maker in the storage room, wherein the ice maker includes a case having an external shape; an ice tray configured to contain water; a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air; an ice bucket under the guide unit and comprising a container having a concave center portion; an ice making fan in the case, configured to generate or facilitate air flow; and a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket.

The ice maker may further include a cover unit on or above the ice tray, and the ice making fan may be in or within the cover unit.

The ice maker may further include a distribution panel having a preset area, between the ice making fan and the ice tray, and having a plurality of holes.

The ice making fan may be on or in (e.g., on an inside surface of) the case.

For example, the ice making fan may be on an outside surface of the ice bucket.

Alternatively, the ice making fan may be in the guide unit.

The refrigerator may further comprise a controller configured to control (e.g., operate) the ice making fan when the compressor is stopped (e.g., not compressing the refrigerant).

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker comprising a case having an external shape; an ice tray configured to contain water; a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air; an ice bucket under the guide unit and comprising a container having a concave center portion; a cover unit on or above the ice tray; an ice making fan in the cover unit; and a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket.

The ice maker may further comprise a distribution panel having a preset area, between the ice making fan and the ice tray, and having a plurality of holes.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an ice maker which can effectively make ice and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.

In addition, an ice maker which can reduce the time for freezing water and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary refrigerator according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view showing an exemplary duct in the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exemplary ice maker suitable for the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice maker of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the ice maker of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an exemplary cover unit viewed from the bottom; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing control relationships in the refrigerator of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosed embodiments may be modified in a variety of forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments are provided to explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shapes of the elements in the drawing may be exaggerated to emphasize more clear descriptions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may include a main body 10 and one or more doors 20.

Hereinafter, the direction from the rear side to the front side of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a thickness direction, the direction from one side surface to another side surface of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a width direction, and the direction from the bottom surface to the top surface of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a height direction. The door(s) 20 are at the front of the refrigerator 1, and the icemaker 30 is adjacent to the top surface of the refrigerator 1.

The main body 10 provides and/or defines the overall external shape of the refrigerator 1. At least one storage room 11 may be inside the main body 10. The storage room(s) 11 inside the main body 10 may be partitioned by a barrier 12. The storage room(s) 11 may include a refrigeration room R and a freezer room F. For example, the refrigeration room R may be at or in the upper part of the main body 10, and the freezer room F may be at or in the lower part of the main body 10.

At least one door 20 is on the main body 10. The door 20 opens and closes the storage room 11. For example, the door 20 is hingedly or pivotally fixed to the main body 10 to rotate, and may open and close the storage room 11 as it rotates with respect to the main body 10. The number of doors 20 may correspond to the number of partitions of the storage room 11. For example, doors 20 are provided in front of the refrigeration room(s) R and the freezer room(s) F, respectively, and may individually open and close a corresponding one of the refrigeration room(s) R and the freezer room(s) F. For example, two doors 20 may be provided in the refrigeration room R on the left and right sides. One or more shelves 21 may be provided on the inside surface of the door 20.

An ice maker 30 may be at or on one side of one storage room 11. For example, the ice maker 30 may be in one refrigeration room R and/or at the upper part of one of the storage rooms 11. Alternatively, the ice maker 30 may be in one door 20 or in the freezer room F.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view showing an exemplary duct in the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, a duct 40 that provides a path for flowing air may be provided in the refrigerator 1.

The duct 40 may include a cold air duct 41 and a collection duct 45.

The cold air duct 41 provides a path for supplying cold air generated in the space around the evaporator (not shown) to other areas of the refrigerator 1. The evaporator may be located in or behind the freezer room F, and an end of the cold air duct 45 may be connected to the freezer room F. For example, the evaporator may be adjacent to the rear side of the freezer room F, and an end (hereinafter, a supply terminal) of the cold air duct 45 may be connected to the rear side and/or pass through the rear wall of the freezer room F.

The cold air duct 41 may include a first cold air duct 42 and a second cold air duct 43.

The first cold air duct 42 and the second cold air duct 43 may be branched at the supply terminal (e.g., at or near the fan 44) or at a point spaced apart from the supply terminal by a preset distance. The first cold air duct 42 is connected to the ice maker 30 and may supply cold air from the supply terminal to the ice maker 30. The second cold air duct 43 is connected to the refrigeration room R and may supply cold air from the supply terminal to the refrigeration room R. A fan 44 may be at a point or location in the cold air duct 41. The fan 44 may provide pressure for flowing the cold air through the cold air ducts 42 and 43 from the supply terminal. For example, the fan 44 may be at the supply terminal (e.g., adjacent to the evaporator).

The collection duct 45 provides a path for collecting air (e.g., cold air) from other areas of the refrigerator 1 to the evaporator or the vicinity of the evaporator. The collection duct 45 may include a first collection duct 46 and a second collection duct 47. First and second ends of the first collection duct 46 may be connected to the ice maker 30 and the freezer room F, respectively. The first collection duct 46 provides a path for returning the air from the ice maker 30 that was used for making ice. First and second ends of the second collection duct 47 may be connected to the refrigeration room R and the freezer room F, respectively. The second collection duct 47 returns the cold air in the refrigeration room R to the freezer room F or the evaporator behind the freezer room F in response to the cold air being supplied from the evaporator (or, alternatively, the freezer room F) to the refrigeration room R.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an ice maker suitable for the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice maker of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the ice maker of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an exemplary cover unit viewed from the bottom.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the ice maker 30 may include a case 100, an ice making assembly 200, an ice bucket 300, a discharge unit 400 and a transfer unit 500.

The ice maker 30 may make and store ice.

Hereinafter, the direction from a cold air duct 110 to the discharge unit 400 is referred to as a first direction X, a direction perpendicular to the first direction X (e.g., a horizontal direction and/or in a plane) is referred to as a second direction Y, and the vertical direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as a third direction Z. In addition, a side on which the discharge unit 400 is located is referred to as a front side, and a side on which the cold air duct 110 is located is referred to as a rear side.

The external shape of the ice maker 30 may be defined in part by the case 100. The case 100 may have a preset volume and a space for accommodating constitutional components of the ice maker 30 therein. The case 10 may be fixed at a point inside the storage room 11 or inside the door 20.

The ice making assembly 200 may make ice by exchanging heat of or in the water with cold air (e.g., from the duct 42). The ice making assembly 200 may include an ice tray 2100, a guide unit 2200, a rotation unit 2300 and a cover unit 2400.

The ice tray 2100 is configured to contain water. The water in the ice tray 2100 is solidified (e.g., becomes ice) through heat exchange with cold air. The ice tray 2100 may comprise a container having a center portion that is concave downwards (e.g., U-shaped), and a space and/or preset volume for containing water may be on or in the ice tray 2100. For example, the ice tray 2100 may comprise a multi-compartment container, each compartment being configured to hold a predetermined volume of liquid water and optionally having a convex lower surface, in which the center of each compartment has a greater depth than along the sidewalls of each compartment. The ice tray 2100 may have a preset length along the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. For example, the ice tray 2100 may be rectangular as seen from the top (e.g., in a plan view).

A heater 2110 may be under the ice tray 2100. The heater 2110 may contact the bottom surface of the ice tray 2100 at least at one point. When the ice made in the ice tray 2100 is transferred to the ice bucket 300 by the rotation unit 2300, the heater 2110 may heat the bottom surface of the ice tray 2100 so that the ice may be effectively separated from the ice tray 2100.

The guide unit 2200 may be under the ice tray 2100. The guide unit 2200 forms a path for flowing cold air onto and/or around the ice tray 2100. The cold air flowing between the guide unit 2200 and the ice tray 2100 cools down the ice tray 2100 to freeze the water in the ice tray 2100. The guide unit 2200 may have a preset length in the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The guide unit 2200 may contact the ice tray 2100 at least at a point and may support the ice tray 2100. The rear end of the guide unit 2200 in the first direction X may communicate with the cold air duct 110 that supplies the cold air. The guide unit 2200 may be fixed to the inside surface of the case 100 or to the cold air duct 110.

The rotation unit 2300 moves the ice in the ice tray 2100 to the ice bucket 300. The rotation unit 2300 may include an ice removing shaft 2310 and a drive housing 2320.

As the ice removing shaft 2310 rotates, the ice in the ice tray 2100 is moved to the outside of the ice tray 2100. The ice removing shaft 2310 has a preset length and may be in a space above the ice tray 2100. The length of the ice removing shaft 2310 may be in or along the first direction X. One or more ice removing prominences 2311 may be along the ice removing shaft 2310. The ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may extend from the outer surface of the ice removing shaft 2310 by a preset length. The ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may not contact the water in the ice tray 2100 when the rotation unit 2300 is in a standby state (i.e., not in an operational state). When the ice removing shaft 2310 rotates for transfer of the ice, the ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may push the ice out of the ice tray 2100.

A drive unit (e.g., motor) inside the drive housing 2320 provides power for rotating the ice removing shaft 2310. The drive housing 2320 may be located at one side of the ice tray 2100 along or with respect to the first direction X. The drive housing 2320 may be located on the opposite side of the ice removing shaft 2310 from the cold air duct 110. One end of the ice removing shaft 2310 may be inserted into the drive housing 2320 by a preset length and connected to the driving unit (e.g., motor) inside the drive housing 2320.

The cover unit 2400 may be on or over the ice tray 2100, in or along the third direction Z. The cover unit 2400 may cover all or part of the ice tray 2100. The cover unit 2400 may have a preset length in the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The width of the cover unit 2400 may correspond to the width of the guide unit 2200 or may be larger than the width of the guide unit 2200 by a set width. Accordingly, the ice tray 2100 may be between the guide unit 2200 and the cover unit 2400. The front end of the cover unit 2400 may contact the top of the drive housing 2320. The cover unit 2400 may be fixed to the inner surface of the case 2410 at least at one point.

A water supply unit 2410 may be at the rear end of the cover unit 2400. The water supply unit 2410 supplies water from an external source to the ice tray 2100. For example, a water supply hole 120 connected to a water supply pipe 121 may be at one side of the case 100. In addition, the water supply unit 2410 may be aligned with the water supply hole 120, and the water flowing through the water supply hole 120 may be supplied to the water supply unit 2410.

A side wall 2401 (FIG. 6) may be at one or more sides (e.g., along the second direction Y) of the cover unit 2400, and may extend from the distribution panel 2435 by (or may otherwise have) a preset length. The side wall 2401 of the cover unit 2400 may be adjacent to one side of the ice tray 2100 (e.g., in or along the second direction Y). In addition, another side of the cover unit 2400 (e.g., in or along the second direction Y) may be open. Accordingly, the ice of the ice tray 2100 may move to the ice bucket 300 through the open side of the cover unit 2400.

An ice making fan 2430 may be in the cover unit 2400. The ice making fan 2430 generates, causes or facilitates flow of air inside the case 100. For example, the ice making fan 2430 may be on or in the top of the cover unit 2400 and may face downwards. Alternatively, the ice making fan 2430 may be on the side wall 2401 of the cover unit 2400. The ice making fan 2430 may be in a hole or opening passing through the cover unit 2400. In addition, the space in which the ice making fan 2430 is located may be blocked from areas external to the cover unit 2400 by the cover unit 2400.

A distribution panel 2435 may be between the ice making fan 2430 and the ice tray 2100. The distribution panel 2435 may have a preset area and may face the ice making fan 2430. One end of the distribution panel 2435 may be fixed to the cover unit 2400 or the drive housing 2320. The distribution panel 2435 may comprise a grate or otherwise have a plurality of holes for evenly supplying the air from the ice making fan 2430 to the ice tray 2100. For example, the distribution panel 2435 may comprise a plurality of ribs in a lattice structure, a perforated plate, or the like.

The ice bucket 300 is located under the ice making assembly 200 and contains ice from the ice making assembly 200. The ice bucket 300 may have a preset length along the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The ice bucket 300 may comprise a container having a center portion that is concave downwards (e.g., U-shaped), and the ice bucket 300 may include a preset volume for containing ice. As seen from the top along the third direction Z, at least part of the ice bucket 300 is positioned outside the ice tray 2100 in the width direction, and the ice supplied from the ice tray 2100 may be contained in the ice bucket 300.

The discharge unit 400 may be at an end of the ice bucket 300. The discharge unit 400 discharges the ice in the ice bucket 300 to the outside of the ice maker 30 (e.g., through the corresponding door 20; see FIG. 1). The discharge unit 400 may be coupled or connected to the front end of the ice bucket 300. The discharge unit 400 may be outside the case 100. The discharge unit 400 has a width corresponding to the case 100 in the second direction Y and a height corresponding to the case 100 in the third direction Z and may shield the case 100. The discharge unit 400 may be detachable from the case 100. Accordingly, if the user separates the discharge unit 400 from the case 100 and moves the discharge unit 400 forward (e.g., out of the corresponding storage space), the ice bucket 300 may be exposed to the outside of the case 100.

The transfer unit 500 moves the ice in the ice bucket 300 to the discharge unit 400. The transfer unit 500 includes a transfer shaft 510 and a transfer housing 520.

As the transfer shaft 510 rotates, the ice in the ice bucket 300 moves to the discharge unit 400. The transfer shaft 510 has a preset length and may be in the lower part or portion of the ice bucket 300. The transfer shaft 510 may have a length or rotational axis in or along the first direction X. For example, the transfer shaft 510 may be or comprise an auger.

The transfer housing 520 houses a motor that provides power for rotating the transfer shaft 510. The transfer housing 520 may be at one side of the ice bucket 300 in or along the first direction X. The transfer housing 520 may be located on the opposite side of the ice bucket 300 from the discharge unit 400. The transfer shaft 510 is coupled or connected to the transfer housing 520 or the motor therein, and may rotate by the power provided by the motor in the transfer housing 520.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing control relationships in the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 7, the refrigerator 1 may include a controller 50. The controller 50 controls constitutional components of the refrigerator 1, such as the fan 44, a compressor 60, the ice making fan 2430, and the like.

The ice maker 30 may include a temperature sensor 140. The temperature sensor 140 may sense a temperature of the water or the ice in the ice tray 2100. For example, the temperature sensor 140 is in the ice tray 2100 and may sense temperature of the water or the ice in the ice tray 2100. In addition, the temperature sensor 140 may be or comprise a non-contact type temperature sensor 140 capable of sensing the temperature of a material or substance using a non-contact method, based on laser irradiation, irradiating the material or substance with infrared light, or the like. In other configurations of the ice maker 30, the temperature sensor 140 may be inside the drive housing 2320, the cover unit 2400, the guide unit 2200, the ice bucket 300, or the case 100, and may sense the temperature of the water or the ice in the ice tray 2100.

The compressor 60 is at one side of the main body 10. The compressor 60 is connected to the evaporator and is part of a path for circulating refrigerant in the refrigerator 1. After heat-exchange in the evaporator, the refrigerant flows into the compressor 60. The refrigerant absorbs ambient heat when it evaporates inside the evaporator, and may flow into the compressor 60 in a gas state and/or in a liquid state. The compressor 60 may compress the refrigerant and supply the compressed refrigerant back to the evaporator. The refrigerant supplied to the evaporator may be condensed into a liquid in the process of compression and/or being returned to the evaporator.

The controller 50 controls constitutional components of the refrigerator 1. For example, the controller 50 may have one physical configuration at one side of the refrigerator 1 to control the ice maker 30, a valve 150, the compressor 60 and other constitutional components of the refrigerator 1. Alternatively, the controller 50 may have two or more physical configurations, and they may be at one or more points or locations in the refrigerator 1. In addition, part of the controller 50 may control the ice maker 30, and other part(s) of the controller 50 may control other constitutional components of the refrigerator 1. When the controller 50 has two or more physical configurations, each part of the controller is electrically connected to the other part(s), and may control various constitutional components of the refrigerator 1 in connection and/or cooperation with each other.

The amount of the cold air supplied to the ice maker 30 may vary according to the operational state of the compressor 60 and/or the fan 44. The controller 50 may control the compressor 60 to stop the operation of the compressor 60 when the temperature of the storage room 11 is lower than a preset temperature and to operate the compressor 60 when the temperature of the storage room 11 is higher than the preset temperature. In addition, the controller 50 may control the fan 44 to operate when the temperature of the storage room 11 is higher than the preset temperature, in a manner similar to that of the compressor 60. Accordingly, cold air is not supplied to the ice maker 30 when the temperature of the storage room 11 is lower than the preset temperature, and cold air may be supplied to the ice maker 30 only when the temperature of the storage room 11 is equal to or higher than the preset temperature. If the time during which the temperature of the storage room 11 is lower than the preset temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the time during which the cold air is supplied to the ice maker 30 is relatively short, and the water in the ice tray 2100 does not freeze effectively. Contrarily, the ice maker 30 in the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention may circulate air inside the ice maker 30 using the ice making fan 2430 so that the water may effectively freeze. The controller 50 may drive or operate the ice making fan 2430 when the compressor 60 is non-operational (e.g., stopped), when the fan 44 is non-operational (e.g., stopped), or when both the compressor 60 and the fan 44 are non-operational (e.g., stopped), so that the water may freeze using the cold air inside the ice maker 30 when cold air is not supplied to the ice maker 30. In addition, the controller 50 may drive or operate the ice making fan 2430 when the compressor 60 is operating, when the fan 44 is operating, or when both the compressor 60 and the fan 44 are operating, so that the water may freeze more effectively.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the ice making fan 2430 may be a constitutional component of the ice maker 30 or a part thereof other than the cover unit 2400, inside the case 100. For example, the ice making fan 2430 may be on the inner surface of the case 100, on the outer surface of the ice bucket 300, on the outer or inner surface of the guide unit 2200, on one side or surface of the drive housing 2320, or the like so that air may flow inside the case 100.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an ice maker that can effectively make ice and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.

In addition, an ice maker that can reduce the time required for freezing water and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.

The above detailed description provides examples of the present invention. In addition, the above description explains by showing preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention may be used in various different combinations, changes and environments. That is, the present invention may be modified or changed within the scope of the spirit of the present invention disclosed in this specification, within a scope equivalent to the disclosed contents, and/or within the scope of the technique(s) or knowledge of the prior art. The above embodiments describe the best conditions for implementing the technical spirit of the present invention, and various changes in the specific application fields and usages of the present invention also can be made. Accordingly, the detailed description of the present invention as described above shows disclosed embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the appended claims should be interpreted as also including other embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body having a storage room therein; a compressor at one side of the main body, configured to compress refrigerant; a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and an ice maker in the storage room, wherein the ice maker includes: a case having an external shape; an ice tray configured to contain water; a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air; an ice bucket under the guide unit and comprising a container having a concave center portion; an ice making fan inside the case configured to generate or facilitate a flow of air; and a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket.
 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the ice maker further includes a cover unit on or above the ice tray.
 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the ice making fan is in the cover unit.
 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the ice maker further includes a distribution panel having a preset area and a plurality of holes.
 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the distribution panel is between the ice making fan and the ice tray.
 6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the ice making fan is on an inner surface of the case.
 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the ice making fan is on an outer surface of the ice bucket.
 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the ice making fan is in or on the guide unit.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the ice making fan.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the controller operates the ice making fan when the compressor is stopped.
 11. An ice maker comprising: a case having an external shape; an ice tray configured to contain water; a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air; an ice bucket under the guide unit and comprising a container having a concave center portion; a cover unit on or above the ice tray; an ice making fan in or inside the cover unit; and a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket.
 12. The ice maker according to claim 11, further comprising a distribution panel having a preset area and having a plurality of holes.
 13. The ice maker according to claim 12, wherein the distribution panel is between the ice making fan and the ice tray.
 14. The ice maker according to claim 13, wherein the distribution panel is configured to distribute the air flow on or over the ice tray.
 15. The ice maker according to claim 12, wherein the ice making fan is configured to generate or facilitate an air flow inside the case. 